Review Dentine as a bioactive extracellular matrix A.J. Smith a, *, B.A. Scheven a , Y. Takahashi a,b , J.L. Ferracane a,c , R.M. Shelton a , P.R. Cooper a a School of Dentistry, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK b Department of Restorative Dentistry and Endodontology, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, 1-8 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan c Division of Biomaterials and Biomechanics, Department of Restorative Dentistry, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA Contents 1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 2. Dentine ECM components and their biological activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 2.1. Matrix molecules (SIBLINGs, osteocalcin, SLRPs) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 2.2. Growth factors and cytokines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111 2.3. Neuropeptides and neurotrophic factors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111 2.4. Serum/plasma proteins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 3. Parallels and differences between bone and dentine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 4. Matrix binding and immobilisation of bio-active molecules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113 5. Release of bioactive molecules from dentine matrix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113 6. Functional consequences of modification of dentine matrix components. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 7. Bioactive dentine matrix components–tissue repair and regeneration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 1. Introduction Whilst similar in composition to the matrix of bone, dentine shows many differences in terms of its morphology and the behaviour of its formative cells. The absence of significant extracellular matrix (ECM) turnover in dentine, in contrast with bone, has been suggested to imply that dentine is a much less dynamically active tissue. However, our increasing knowledge of how the tissue responds to its environment a r c h i v e s o f o r a l b i o l o g y 5 7 ( 2 0 1 2 ) 1 0 9 – 1 2 1 a r t i c l e i n f o Article history: Accepted 25 July 2011 Keywords: Dentine Extracellular matrix Bioactive Regeneration Inflammation a b s t r a c t As a mineralised connective tissue, dentine is well adapted to its functional role as a major structural component of the tooth. Although similar in composition to bone, dentine matrix is not remodelled physiologically and traditionally, has been regarded as a rather inert tissue. Nevertheless, dentine–pulp demonstrates strong regenerative potential which allows it to respond to disease and traumatic injury. Such responses are strongly influenced by cell–matrix interactions and modified by disease processes, including infection and inflammation. The identification of many bioactive molecules bound within dentine matrix has allowed their potential involvement in regenerative and other tissue responses to be better understood and new opportunities to be recognised for novel clinical therapies. # 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. * Corresponding author at: Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, University of Birmingham, St Chad’s Queensway, Birmingham B4 6NN, UK. Tel.: +44 0121 237 2881; fax: +44 0121 625 8815. E-mail address: a.j.smith@bham.ac.uk (A.J. Smith). availab le at www .s cien c edir ect .co m journal homepage: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/aob 0003–9969/$ – see front matter # 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.archoralbio.2011.07.008